Under head coach Sarah Hallum, the Highland Park volleyball program is making history.

When the Lady Hornets (28-12) take on Holliday in the Region I-2A tournament at 1 p.m. Friday at Moody Coliseum on the campus of Abilene Christian University, it will be the first regional tournament appearance in school history. The Highland Park volleyball program began in 2004.

“It is a big deal for us,” Hallum said. “We strive for bigger and better things at Highland Park. We are trying to get better as a program in general. When you are satisfied, I think you lose focus. I told these girls we aren’t settling anymore. We won’t be satisfied with just making the playoffs.”

If Highland Park beats Holliday, the Lady Hornets will face the winner of Nocona-Bushland in the Region I-2A championship at noon Saturday.

A big part of Highland Park’s success is senior blocker Whitney Shaffer. Shaffer leads the team in kills and is a leader on and off the court.

“It’s a really big deal,” Shaffer said. “It was so reachable and we actually are here. It’s almost unreal. It’s pretty amazing. We have all come together. We have all worked hard. We have learned to form into one. When we do anything it’s together, and that’s what I believe has brought us this far.”

Shaffer roams the middle so well her teammates have given her a nickname.

“My job on the court is stopping the other team from getting a kill,” Shaffer said. “They kind of call me ‘The Wall’ and it’s kind of awesome.”

Senior setter Leesa Lopez is happy to have reach regionals.

“It’s a really big deal because we’ve never made it this far,” Lopez said. “For us to be seniors and to just take our team here is a really big deal. We are so honored. We read each other so well. We are so close and such a close-knit family. As soon as it’s a perfect pass we know, it’s Whitney, put it down.”

Hallum said she know it’s a new experience for her team..

“It is a new experience,” Hallum said. “I put the girls on a schedule. The overnight aspect, the going into a big university where the atmosphere is different. We are making sure we are consistent in our game plan and not going away from our daily routine. These girls are very competitive. They are young at heart. They enjoy the game of volleyball and they don’t overanalyze. I’ve told them just to play their game and not worry about the other team. They truly are complete champions and they can make it all the way.”

Hallum’s goal has been to build a tradition at Highland Park.

“We are the team that got there,” Hallum said. “Teams after us will want to get there. We are setting that expectation as high as we can. Why stop now? We are going back to work. The girls aren’t settling. I have worked on making Highland Park a place where it’s spotlighted. Highland Park is going to be and will continue to be a threat. They will be a program that will be looked at every year. We are looking to build a tradition.”

In her five years, Hallum has amassed a record of 99-78.

“Going into this next match with Holliday is special,” Hallum said. “It could be that 100th victory in my five years at Highland Park. It is a victory within the program. I was challenged to come in and build on what the program had been doing. With the 100th victory, I think it would set a precedent that we win at Highland Park. We have a winning district season all the way down to seventh grade. That’s a first for every Highland Park volleyball team to have a winning record.”